KANGAROO
			Phylum: Class: Order: Family: Species: Chordata Mammalia Marsupialia Macropodidae Macropus giganteus (great gray); Macropus rufus (red)

The great gray and the red kangaroos are the most common among the 55 existing species of kangaroo. Kangaroos, from Australia, are the world's largest living marsupials.

The great gray, or forester kangaroo, resides mainly in open forest lands of Australia, where it feasts on the vegetation. In height, it reaches 6 ft (1.8 m). It weighs 200 lb (90 kg). The thick muscular tail may be over 4 ft (1.2 m) long. The is predominantly gray, fading to a whitish shade on the legs, the underparts, and under the tail.

The red kangaroo is found over most of Austrailia. It is similar to the great gray in build and size, but the male has a reddish coat. The female is generally a smoky blue color. Red kangaroos graze in herds of about a dozen on the open plains.

The smaller rock kangaroo, or wallaroo, sometimes called a euro, lives among rocks mainly in a few coastal areas. Its hinds legs are stocky in comparison to those of the red or great gray kangaroo.

Kangaroos feed mostly at night. They move on all four feet when proceeding slowly, but bound on their powerful hind legs only, using the tail for balance. They can move as fast as 30 mph (48 km/h) for short distances.

Baby kangaroos are called joeys. As a rule there is only one young per litter. The joey is born at a very early stage of development when it is little more than 1 in (2.5 cm) long. But it can find its way to its mother's pouch for food and warmth. The joey remains in the pouch for about six months. Even after leaving the pouch, the joey will return to suckle.